Real Madrid president Florentino Perez interestingly asserted that if Erling Haaland had transferred to the Santiago Bernabeu, he would have spent the season on the bench.
Speaking to El Chiringuito, Perez said: “Mbappe deal didn’t create any problem with Haaland deal, absolutely. We have Benzema, so it was impossible to have him with Karim.
“We can’t sign Haaland to stay on the bench. Haaland is an amazing, fantastic player.”
Throughout the previous season, there was talk that the La Liga heavyweights were interested in signing the in-demand forward from Borussia Dortmund.
Real were ultimately more intent on acquiring Kylian Mbappe’s talents, only for the World Cup champion to remain at Parc des Princes.
On Mbappe:
“We didn’t sign any pre-contract or agreement with Kylian Mbappe because it’s not regular. Kylian Mbappe did not betray me. Mbappe told us his dream was to play for Real Madrid, many and many times. But then all changed in 15 days because of political and economical pressure. His dream had to change.
“I think Kylian Mbappe’s mum wanted him to join Real Madrid, she knows it has always been Kylian’s dream. I’m sure she wanted Mbappe to join us, but things change and we have to respect. I still respect Kylian, absolutely.”
